Mountain bluebells, one of the large species of its genus, is a tall, 

 leafy perennial herb of the borage family (Boraginaceae). It is so 

 named because it usually occurs in the mountains and has blue, bell- 

 shaped flowers. The Latin specific name ciliata, is derived from the 

 word cilium (eyelid) and refers to the eyelashlike hairs along the 

 edges of the leaves. 



Mountain bluebells is a very variable species and its exact range is 

 in dispute, largely owing to differences of opinion among botanists. 1 

 M. ffiliata is found only in the western United States, from western 

 Montana to eastern Oregon, Nevada, and Colorado, but extending to 

 California in the variety stomatechoides (syn. M. stomatechoides) 

 and as far northwest as Washington and Idaho in the variety longi- 

 pedunculata (syns. M. ambiguu and M. denticulata, at least in part). 

 The altitudinal range varies from approximately 5,000 to 12,000 feet. 

 This species prefers sheltered, moist situations such as high alpine 

 meadows. It often occurs on rich loam soils, but also grows well on 

 sandy or gravelly loams if an abundance of moisture is present, 

 although it appears occasionally on drier soils. Mountain bluebells 

 usually grows in clumps or in almost pure stands in local areas along 

 streams and near springs, frequently associated with willow, bane- 

 berry (Actaea), butterweed, and monkeyflower. 



The palatability of mountain bluebells is very good for sheep and 

 goats and fair for cattle and horses. Sheep eat the entire plant 

 because it is leafy and succulent. Deer are also fond of it. The 

 flowers appear from June to August and the fruits in September; 

 after the seeds mature the plant dries up and is then worthless as 

 forage. 



This plant is a favorite of the rockrabbit, known as pika, little 

 chief hare or cony (Ochotona, princess). These small rodents of the 

 higher mountains simulate the activities of the professional hay 

 farmer by cutting off the plants, spreading them out on the rocks to 

 dry, and then storing them away in piles in sheltered places under 

 the rocks for food during the long winter season. E. W. Nelson 2 

 states that these piles of forage, including grasses and many herbace- 

 ous plants, often contain as much as one bushel each. The porcu- 

 pine also grazes the succulent herbage of mountain bluebells with 

 great relish. 



Mountain bluebells has usually clustered stems varying in height 

 up to about 5 feet. The hairless or somewhat hairy leaves vary in 

 size; they are usually from 1 to 4 inches, but sometimes up to 7 

 inches in length and, as a rule, are hairy-fringed (ciliate) around 

 the edges, and often blister-dotted. The threadlike stalks (styles), 

 which are often seen protruding from the blossoms when the flowers 

 are in full bloom, may also remain until after the nutlets ripen. 



1 Some American authors have considered M. ciliata synonymous with M. sibirica (L.) 

 Don, which would include Siberia in its range, and possibly Alaska. The best present- 

 day botanical opinion, however, regards M. sibirica as a species wholly confined to Siberia 

 and absent from North America. 



2 Nelson. Edward W. SMALLEK MAMMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. Natl. Geogr. Mag. 

 33(5) : [37l]-493, illus. 1918. 



